Buckle or clasp



(NModel.) v

I. G. HOPKINS 88H. AH. CUMMINGS.

BUCKLE 0R CLASP.

l T8-878,055. l Patented Jan. s, 1888.

VVITNESEEE, lNVENTmRE, ww/f N. mais. mmmmgmph-r. wnningmn, nA a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRA G. W. HOPKINS AND HENRY OUMMINGS, OF MALDEN,

MASSACHUSETTS.

BUCKLE R CLASP.

` SPECIFECATION forming part cfgLetters Patent No. 376,055, dated January 3, 1888.

Application filed June 22, 1887. Serial No. 242,16. (No model.)

To LH whom it 11mg concern.-

Be it known that we, IRA G. W. HoPKINs and HENRY H. CUMMINGs, citizens of the United States, residing at Malden, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Buckle or Clasp for Shoes, Gloves, Clothing, or Anything for which such a Fastening would be Desirable, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in buckles or clasps by which an additional tension can be given after the members of the buckle or clasp have been put as nearly into engagement as the strength of the operator will allow; and the objects of our improve I nents are to provide a buckle or clasp that shall be adjustable for ditl'erent widths, capable of drawing articles connected therewith to a suitablev tension and remaining' locked in such a condition, and also capable of being r released easily.

Figure l is a side elevation, and shows the positions of the several parts after the ratchettongue has been placed as nearly in the desired position as the strength of the operator will allow and before the additional tension has been given. v Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations, and illustrate succeeding positions of the parts in being brought into locked position. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the buckle or clasp in locked position.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Looped bracketA and lever B, having its fulcrum ata a, in the raised arms of the bracket A, form one member of the buckle or clasp, and looped ratchet-tongue C forms the other member. Lever Bis formed as a forked spring,

whose arms have a normal tendency away from each other, and are provided with lugs E` E,

designed to enter the grooves F F on the inner sides of the arms of bracket A, for the purpose of assisting to retain vthe buckle in locked position, said spring allowing the lugs E E to leave the grooves F F when thelever B is moved to any other position. The ratchetteeth D on tongue O are for the purpose of allowing the buckle` to be locked at different widths between the loops. Y

The device is operated as follows: The ratchet-tongue O is placed between the arms of bracket A under the lever B, and pushed through as far as the operator desires, when the upper end of lever B is thrown to the right, bringing its opposite end into engagement with whichever of the ratchet-teeth happens to be in position to receive it. The continued movement of the lever B causes the central portions of the buckle to rise as the lever passes the center, as in Fig. 2, and to drop back into place again when the lever has passed completely over, and the lugs E E have engaged grooves F F, as shown in Fig. 3, thus serving to force the ratchet-tongue O farther through the other member and to hold it locked there. The members are released from each other by throwing lever B back to the position shown in Fig. l.

Having thus explained our invention, what we claim is- The combination of lever E with looped bracket A and its grooves F F, and designed to operate in connection with notched or corrugated tongue O, substantially as described. g

1 IRA G. W. HOPKINS.

y HENRY H. CUMMINGS. Vitnesses:

S. M. SPENCER, H. E. J ORDEN.

E anu itsiugs E f 

